Trace-fastener.



C. Vl KILGORE.

TRACE Fs'ENl-R.r APPLlcATIo'N FILED DEc.17,-1912.

Patented. Apr. 27, 1915.

E11/wanton FQE@ CHARLES V.

KLGOR-E, 0F SYKESVILLE, MARYLAND.

TRACE-FASTENER.

Application led December 17, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, CHARLES V. Krnconn, a citizen of the United States, residing at- Sykesville, in the county of Carroll and State of Maryland, have invented new an useful mprovements in Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trace fasteners for hames; and has for an object to provide means whereby the trace can be quickly associated with or disconnected from the fastener and associated with the haines in such manner as to prevent its engaging against the shoulders of the animal.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fastener wherein the trace engaging portion thereof will include a pivotal support designed with a view to accomodating the attachment thereto of the breast strap.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain noved features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings z-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collar` illustrating the attachment of the hame fastener to the hame of the collar; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the collar and through a portion of a. hame, showing the fastener applied thereto and conventionally illustrating the operative position of the engaged trace with the shoulder of the animal; Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the fastener; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket, showing the retaining hooks in open position.

The fastener comprises a bracket Lwhich is provided with a vertical base plate 2 of an increasing` thickness throughout from its inner vertical edge to its outer vertical edge. rThe plate is substantially co-extensive in length with the width of the hame A as shown, whereby the portion of maximum thickness of the base plate lies substantially flush with the outer edge of the hame. Superimposed ears 3 form an integral part of the base plate and as shown said ears are provided with alining passages 4 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Attaching portions 5 of the bracket 1 are adapted to be secured to the hame through the medium of fastening rivets or the like 5.

The trace retainer of the fastening device comprises companion reversely arranged Specification of Letters Patent.

)Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

SeriaI No. 737,258.

hooks 6, which are provided with shanks 7 having relatively short tongues 8 and connecting bite portions 9. The shanks 7 are terminally provided with apertured heads 10, and as shown the apertures of said heads are disposed in line with the apertures i of the ears 3, so as to receive therewith a vertical pivotal support 11. Said support is preferably in the form of an eye-bolt, the eye 12 therein being disposed below the plane of the lowermost ear 3 and having a portion extended into a substantially arcuate con- .cavity 13, whereby the bolt is held against rotation. The upper extremity of the bolt is threaded, as at 14, so as to receive a retaining nut 15, the latter bearing against the upper ear 3 of the bracket 1.

As stated the companion hooks 6 are reversely arranged. That is to say the shank 8 of one of the hooks is disposed directly opposite the shank 7 of the other hook and is adapted to lie in mutual contact therewith when the hooks are closed relatively to trace retaining position. The tongues 8 of the companion hooks are terminally spaced from the adjacent heads 10, whereby the innermost links of the trace 16 herein illustrated can be conveniently associated with the hooks as is understood.

From the constructi on described. it is seen that the hook engaged link of the trace will associate with the bite portions 9 of the hook, whereby to hold the latter in operative closed position. The inclination of the outer surface of the plate 2 with relation to the flat surface B of the hame is such that the hooks 6 will be disposed at an angle to the plane of the surface B. In other words the angular inclination of the plate 2 is such as will form a stop for the trace engaging hook, so as to prevent said hooks from swinging in rearward directions beyond a prescribed position. The hooks then extend outwardly and forwardly, and, as a consequence, the trace will be arranged in the position C. This places a portion of the hame with such relation to the shoulder of the draft animal as will positively insure against chating of the shoulder through contact with the trace. The eye 12 of the bolt 11 has associated therewith a ring 17 for accommodating the breast strap.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A hame fastener comprising a bracket arranged for attachment to the forward surface of the hame, and including a base plate having a Width substantially equal to the Width of the haine, the said plate being of increasing thickness throughout its Width and toward the back of the hame, the forward face of the plate being inclined With rela-tion to the inner face of the hame, and trace hooks pivotally connected to the bracket adjacent to the point of minimum Copie: of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the thickness of the plate and arranged to con- 1o tact with the forward surface of the plate throughout a major portion of its Width.

In testimony whereof I YaHiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

Y s CHARLES V. KILGORE.

Witnesses:

ASA Hiarivina,V Y CHARLES A. PHoEBUs.

"Commissioner of Patenti.

Washington, D. C. 

